The medical students, resident interns and post-graduate students of Tamilnadu were on strike from February 17 till March 4. Although there were 16 grievances, the two main demands were an increase in the stipend and a law to prevent the setting up of any more private medical colleges in the state. On February 25, the government offered an increase in the stipend but refused to give an assurance on the private medical college issue. The strike continued and five students went on a "fast until death". The students demanded an audience with the chief minister, but he demanded that they first call off the strike. The opposition leader raised the matter in the legislative assembly. Finally the chief minister agreed to meet the students on March 4.